Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 25604, Abiah Fuller, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER _____
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Fuller, Abiah
W. 25604
Susannah
B. L. W. 8189-160-55-
CONTENTS

Order to pay 25 March 1839
Vermont. 18.606
Abiah Fuller.
Windham in the State of Vermont. who was a private in the Comp y . commanded by Captain Richardson of the _____ commanded by _____ in the Mass. Sta. time for 6 months.
Inscribed on the Roll of Vermont. at the rate of 20 Dollars Cont s per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 21 day of Sept r 1833. and sent to A. Keyes. D o Nutney. Vt.
  Arrears to the 4th of Sept. 1833. $  57.10    Semi-ann. allowance ending Mar. '34  10.00     $ 60.00  
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Ele Brown Clerk, Book 6. Vol. 3 Page 14

Abiah Fuller
to 5123
Passenger Offer
Ms. A. 9. 2. 20
STATE OF VERMONT. New Haven at 10

STATE OF VERMONT.
County of Windham ss. At a Probate Court held at Putney in said county of Windham and district of Westminster being a court of record holding by law a seal & clerk. Proceedings Than Peter A Taft Judge
On this Tuesday fourth day of July
A. D. 1832—Personally appeared in open Court,
Before the said Probate Court, within and for said district now sitting— Abiah Fuller a resident of Putney in the county of Windham and State of Vermont, aged seventy nine years, who, being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on his oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the Act of Congress passed June 7, 1832—That he entered into the service of the United States, under the following named officers, and served as herein stated. That on or about the first week of April 1777 he volunteered as one of the minute men and left home and equipped and ready to go into the actual service of the United States at a moment's warning and remained as a minute man till the first week of August 1777 when he entered into the actual service of the United States as a private and served six months till the first week of February when Capt Call Richardson & Lieutenant Jacob Ballard were not relieved the terms of the other officers. That he marched from Rehobeth in the State of Massachusetts to Providence in the State of Rhode Island. Thence to Point Judith & back again and on different sides of the Island of Rhode Island to Little Compton & Newton. The British were then in possession of the Island & frequently made incursions on the main land & burnt buildings. They burnt a meeting house in United also our boat. That he had no written discharge but no discharge in any manner to prevent him from receiving a pension. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State.
To the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, he answers, upon his said oath, as follows:
 That he was born in the town of Rehobeth in the state of Massachusetts in the year 1753—  That he has no other record of his age excepting that the same is recorded in the town clerk's office in said Rehobeth—  That he lived in said town of Rehobeth when called into service. That he now lives in said Putney and has lived there ever since the Revolutionary excepting two or three years of the time he has lived in Providence in said Washington County.  That he has already received $100 in his pension.  That he cannot recollect the names of any other officers serving there now, there is Col. Page.  That he never received a written discharge.  In answer to this question the applicant names Ezekiel Pierce of said Putney, Deacon Aaron & Westminster in said county. 
C A P I E F L
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
Peter A Taft - Judge
We Ezekiel Pierce a clergyman, residing in the town of Putney in said county, and Simon Moore of Westminster in said county, hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Abiah Fuller who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be seventy nine years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighbourhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
Ezekiel Pierce
Simon Moore
Peter A Taft - Judge
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them, that Abiah Fuller who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the said town of Putney and that Simon Moore who has also signed the same, is a resident in the town of Westminster in said county, and a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit. with the true the clergyman has been recently ordained a minister of the gospel.
Peter A Taft - Judge
I, the undersigned Clerk of Probate of the District of Westminster aforesaid, do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Abiah Fuller for a pension.

He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State. To the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, he answers, upon his said oath, as follows:
 1. That he was born in the town of Wrentham Rehoboth in the state of Massachusetts in the year 1758-  2. That he has no other record of his age excepting that the same is recorded in the town clerk's office in said Rehoboth -  3. That he lived in said town of Rehoboth when called into service that he now lives in said Princetown Rehoboth and has lived there ever since the Revolutionary expenses two or three years of the time he has lived in Princetown Rehoboth, County -  4. That he has already received $100 in having a long  5. That he cannot recollect the name of any other officer commanding there now, there is Col. Putnam -  6. That he never received a written discharge  7. In answer to this question the applicant names Ezekiel Pierce of said Princetown Rehoboth County & Westport in said County. 
C A P I E F I T
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
Peter A Taft - Judge
We Ezekiel Pierce  clergymen , residing in the town of Princetown in said County and Ezekiel Pierce of Westport in said County hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Abiah Fuller who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be seventy nine years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighbourhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
Ezekiel Pierce Ezekiel Pierce Peter A Taft - Judge
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them, that Ezekiel Pierce who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergymen , resident in the said town of Princetown and that Ezekiel Pierce who has also signed the same, is a resident in the town of Westport in said county, and is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit. with this that the clergymen has been recently married & cannot testify to the matter named in the above certificate -
Peter A Taft - Judge
I, Isaac Prentiss Clerk & Register of the District Court in the matter of the application of Abiah Fuller
of the District Court, within and for aforesaid, do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this thirty fourth day of July
A. D. 1832.
Isaac Prentiss

3.576 Vermont. Montpelier Susannah Fuller. widow of Abiah Fuller who served in the Revolutiona- ry war, as a private
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 20. Dollars 00
Cents per annum, to commence on the 3d February, 1853.
Certificate of Pension issued 3 rd day of February 1854. and sent to
John Kimball Putney Vt.
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act February 3, 1853. Page 27. Vol. a
Reg 3 m 55-16434
C.H.
1321

State of Vermont } Windham County } p }
On this sixteenth day of June A D 1853 personally appeared before John Kimball a justice of the peace within age for said County Susannah Fuller a resident of Putney in the said County of Windham aged eighty six years, who first being duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by the act of Congress passed on the third day of February A D 1853 granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary war; that she is the widow of Abiah Fuller who was a private in said war and drew a pension under the act of Congress passed June Seventh A D 1832 as per his certificate bearing date Sep- tember 21 st A D 1833. She further declares that she was married to the said Abiah Fuller on the eighth day of March A D 1815; that her said husband died on the thirteenth day of January A D 1849; that she was not married to him prior to the second of January, eighteen hundred, but at the time above stated. She further declares that she is now a widow.
Witnesses John Kimball Sidney Fuller
her Susannah Fuller mark
Windham p } June 16 th 1853 Sworn to and subscribed before me and the applicant from bodily infirmity is unable to attend court. John Kimball Justice of the peace

Mr J. Kimball
Warwick March 24 th 1853
Sir I received a line from you requesting me to send you a Record of the Marriage of Abiah Fuller to Susannah Gould. which I send you the following.
Mr Abiah Fuller of Putney Vt. Entered his intentions of Marriage with Miss Susannah Gould of Warwick Feb. 26 th 1815.
The Rev. Preserved Smith certifies that on the 8 th day of March 1815 he joined in Marriage Mr Abiah Fuller to Miss Susannah Gould.
A True Copy from the Records of the Town of Warwick.
Ira Drape
Town Clerk
Warwick March 24 th 1853 County of Franklin State of Massachusetts

State of Massachusetts } Warwick September 12-1853 County of Franklin }
Then personally appeared the within named Ira Draper Town Clerk of said Warwick who is personally known to me to be a man of veracity and made oath to the truth of the within copy of record by him certified and signed - Before me James Goldsbury Justice of the peace

16474
ad. Mar 3/85 Mar 26/85
Susannah Miller Revolutionary War widow of Abiah Miller Kiv
Capt. — Mass. Mil.
Enr. disch. Revolutionary War
10160 ad. (C); 12/1855
Rp. H.
ms. do 8/85
St. to Vermont July, 6" 1855.
" " Aug. 27"
" " John N. Hall, Oct 3/85.
John N. Hall, Esq., Putney, Vt., Susannah Miller applied Putney, Windham Co. Vermont
Vol. F-161. 2

16474
Susannah Fuller

State of Vermont } On this 22 nd day of March A Windham County } one thousand eight hundred and fifty five personally appeared before me a justice of the peace within & for the County and State aforesaid Susannah Fuller aged eighty seven years a resident of Putney in the County aforesaid who being duly sworn according to law declares that she is the widow of Abiah Fuller deceased who was a private in the Revolutionary War and that she is the identical Susannah Fuller whose name under the act of February 3 rd 1853 has been placed on the Vermont Pension Roll at the rate of twenty dollars per annum. She further declares that she is now a widow and that she makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the bounty land to which she may be entitled under the act approved March third A 1855. She also declares that she has not received a warrant for bounty land under this or any other act of Congress, nor made any other application therefor.
Susannah her Fuller mark
We Joshua Fuller and Sidney Fuller residents of Putney in the State of Vermont upon our oaths declare that the foregoing declaration was signed and acknowledged by the said Susannah Fuller in our presence and that we believe from the appearance and statements of the applicant that she is the identical person she represents herself to be -
Joshua Fuller Sidney Fuller

The within and foregoing declaration and affidavit were sworn to and subscribed before me on the day and year above written; and I certify that I know the affiants to be credible persons; that the claimant is the person she represents herself to be and that I have no interest in this claim.
John Kimball Justice of the peace

State of Vermont, } WINDHAM, S. S. }
I, ROYALL TYLER, Clerk of the County Court, for the County of Windham, being a court of record and having a seal, as hereto attached, do certify that
John Ninsdall
was at the date of the paper writings to which this is attached, and now is a JUSTICE OF THE PEACE, within and for said county, duly commissioned and qualified; that his signature John Ninsdall is genuine; that the said paper writings are executed
according to the laws of this State, and are in due form; and that as such Officer, he is duly authorized by the laws of this State to take acknowledgments of Deeds, take Depositions, administer Oaths, &c.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of court, at Brattleborough, this 23 rd day of March Anno Domini, one thousand eight hundred and fifty- five
Royall Tyler Clerk.

I Joshua Fuller of Duxbury in the County of Windsham & State of Vermont of lawful age depose and say that Abiah Fuller late of said Duxbury deceased was my father and that he died on the 13 th day of January A D 1840 leaving Susannah Fuller his widow & my mother in law and she has lived with me most of the time since the decease of my father and now lives with me - My father was married to the said Susannah on the 8 th day of March A D 1815 and lived with her from that time until his decease, a portion of the time in Brookline in said County but most of the time in said Duxbury - I provided a place for my father & his wife live on after they were married in said Brookline & said Duxbury - I am now sixty seven years old & shall be sixty eight next October if I live to that time - My said father was a revolutionary pensioner -
Joshua Fuller
Windsham County ss 3 Duxbury June 16. 1853 Then personally appeared the said Joshua Fuller and made oath to the above affidavit by him subscribed - Before me John Kimball justice of the peace

Rev  WIDOW, &c.  own
File No. 25.604 Susannah Fuller Widow of Abiah Fuller Priv. Rev. War.
Act Feb. 3 rd 1833
Index: Vol a Page 259
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Resident Clerk Bryan 1899 - Bryan
Print 5's. B.
Print
" " "

✓ 8189
5 Hs Aug
2

No. 16474
ACT OF MARCH 3, 1855.
Received Mar. 26, 1855.
Abiah Fuller
Rev. Har
Warrant 8/89-160-55
John Kimball Esq Rutney W

State of Vermont, }
WINDHAM, S. S. }
I, ROYALL TYLER, Clerk of the County Court, for the County of Windham, being a court of record and having a seal, as hereto attached, do certify that
John Kimball
was at the date of the paper writings to which this is attached, and now is a JUSTICE OF THE PEACE, within and for said county, duly commissioned and qualified; that his signature to the three Jurats
are
is genuine; that the said paper writings
are executed according to the laws of this State,
and are in due form; and that as such Officer, he is duly authorized by the
laws of this State to take acknowledgments of Deeds, take Depositions, administer Oaths, &c.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of court, at
Brattleborough, this
21 st
day of
June
Anno Domini, one thousand eight hundred and fifty-
three
Royall Tyler
Clerk.

Susannah Fuller

We James Johnson and Polly Johnson his wife of Westminster in the County of Middlesex and State of mind of lawful age depose and say that we were well acquainted with Abiah Fuller late of Putney in said County deceased and also with his wife Susannah Fuller who now lives with her son in law Joshua Fuller in said Putney - The said Abiah Fuller & wife lived within half a mile of us in the same neighbourhood for ten years or more preceding his death - He died in January, fourteen years ago, as near as we can recollect - We both of us attended his funeral and I the said James Johnson assisted in laying him out on the evening of his death - The said Abiah & Susannah lived together as man and wife whilst they lived in our neighbourhood for ten years or more preceding to his death - and his widow the said Susannah is now living and still a widow, at said Joshua Fullers in said Putney - We often heard it said that the said Abiah Fuller was a revolutionary pensioner and frequently heard him speak of it -
James Johnson
Polly Johnson
Windsor County ss
Westminster June 16. 1853 Then personally appeared the said James & Polly Johnson subscribed & made oath to the above affidavit Before me John Nimball Justice of the peace

State of Vermont } Windham County ss }
On this 19 th day of January, A D 1854 personally appeared before the Probate Court within and for the District of Marlborough in said County of Windham Susannah Fuller a resident of Surry in said County and State aforesaid aged Eighty Seven years who first being duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath, make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the provisions made by the act of Congress, passed on the 3 rd of February A D 1853 granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary war; that she is the widow of Abiah Fuller who was a private in the Revolutionary army and a Revolutionary pensioner under the act of June 7 th 1832 at the rate of twenty dollars per annum as per his certificate dated September 21 st 1833. She further declares that she was married to the said Abiah Fuller on the 8 th day of March A D 1815 and that her name previous to her marriage to said Fuller was Susannah Gould; that her said husband died on or about the 13 th day of January A D 1840; that she was not married to him prior to the second of January, eighteen hundred, but at the time above stated. She further declares that she is now a widow.
Attest Myer
Susannah her Fuller mark
In testimony whereof I have set my hand & affixed the Seal of said Court at Danvers on said District the day & year first above written. Benjamin Judson Judge of Probate for the District of Marlborough

I Sarah Blandon of Westminster in the County of Windham and State of Vermont of the age of 73 years testify and say that a few weeks ago I was with Abiah Fuller of Rehoboth in the State of Massachusetts in the year 1777 who was rescued in Acton in said County of Windham - that I was well knowing at that time that the said Abiah Fuller sometime in that year and about the first of August entered into the service of the United States that she was in the army at that time for Six months that I was in the same Company with him and saw the said Abiah Fuller almost every day during said Six months that said Abiah Fuller now resides in said Acton and is the same that I was acquainted with at Rehoboth Mass in the year 1777 and further I say not
Sarah Blandon
State of Vermont Windham County ss I solemnly and swear the 30th day of July A.D. 1882
Before me Asa Keyes Justice of the Peace
I certify that Sarah Blandon who subscribed the foregoing affidavit is a person of undoubted truth and credibility and her truth and evidence accepted to be given to this testimony
Asa Keyes Justice of the Peace
State of Vermont. Windham County ss Vernon Oct 28. 1883
I certify that Asa Keyes who subscribed the affidavit of the date of the 30th day of July 1882 is a Justice of the Peace in and for said County of Windham duly qualified to act and that the signature to the above certificate purporting to be his is his genuine signature
James Elliott, Clerk

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston. Sept. 6 th 1855.
I Hereby Certify , That from an examination of the Books and Documents relating to Military Services in the War of the Revolution, which remain in this Department, it appears that the name of Abiah Fuller is borne on pay roll of Capt. Caleb Richardson's Comp. Col. (Ganforth) Hays Regt. from Aug. 26. to Dec. 31. 1777. 4 mos 4 days, as private. St. Jacob Fuller is borne on above roll. Also on pay roll of Capt. Joseph Williams's Comp. Col. Thomas Carpenter's Regt. who marched from Rehoboth to Tiverton on alarm of Aug. 1. 1780. 9 days, as private.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
E. M. N. [Signature] Secretary of the Commonwealth.

6.12.3
Abiah Fuller
Admit
6 months
$20-
Asa Keyes. D.
Tulney
61

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
May 8 1837
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will show what is necessary to be done. These points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, showing the Service of
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. Proof by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.              
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.
Mr. Aliah Fuller

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c., Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
 1. The Regular Troops.  2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.  3. Persons employed in the Naval Service.  4. Indian Spies. 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will, in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of }
On this day of personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of in the county of and State, Territory or District of aged (c) years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) , with and served in the (e) regiment of the line, under the following named officers :
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I of the Court of do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this day of &c.
If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the and C. D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with , who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the days and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, Clerk of the Court of do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this day of &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his

alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.  6. { To a Soldier. } Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it? { To an Officer. } Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?  7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. 
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons—one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Clerk of the Court or Justice, stating that such person is a Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:—For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____; For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months , is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
[k] The notes from [a] to [j] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[m] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[n] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

State of Vermont } Windham County ss } Putney January 25. 1854
I certify that James Johnson of Westminster and Joshua Fuller of Putney, both in said County of Windham who have made their affidavits in the matter of the application of Susannah Fuller of said Putney for a pension under the Act of Congress passed on the 3 rd of February 1853 are credible persons and of undoubted veracity
John Nimball Justice of the peace
I have forgotten whether the affidavits of any other persons were forwarded with the application of Mrs Fuller or not John Nimball

Brief in the case of Susannah Fuller, widow of Abiah, Coningham County and State of Vermont act 3 d Feby, 1853.
Claim, ("original," or " for increase ")
Proof exhibited, (if original.)
Is it documentary, traditional, or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance.
There was a pension under the act of June, 1832,
Recd. Dividend for proof of marriage
(If for increase.)
Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim? If so, what?
John Kimball, Esq. Pulaski, Vt. Name and residence of Agent
A. B. Root Examining Clerk.

Putney Vt. June 21. 1853
The Hon S P Waldo
Enclosed herewith please find the Applications of Mary Smith and Susannah Fuller for pensions under the act of Febry 1853 and if allowed be so good as to forward their certificates or to the applicants as you choose
Very Respectfully John Nimball

Pittney, Vt. Sept. 10. 1853
Dear S p P Waldo, Sir.
I have no notice of the suspension of the claim of Mrs Susannah Fuller for the following reasons - 1 st Her declaration is not made "before Court of record" or before a judge or justice of such court -
Courts of justices of the peace in this State are courts of record tho. they have no seal - She is informed if a justice of the peace will not answer we must get a "judge of a court of record" to come some 12 or 15 miles to take her declaration -
2 nd The witnesses are not certified to be credible by the magistrate -
If it would be proper & I do not see why it may not be, I should be glad to have the affidavit, filed in Mrs Fuller's case returned so that the magistrate's certificate may be rectified - Then I can return

them with the certificate of marriage after it is verified by the oath of the Lower Clerk
Also I will send you a new declaration if that must be done taken before a Court of record "or a justice of such Court"
I understand you do not consider a justice of the peace in Vermont to be a justice of such a court - that is a court of record
Mrs Fuller claims her pension under the act of Feb. 3. 1853
Very respectfully John Nimball

Pennsylvania
Bank of Williamstown
March 18, 1839
Sir,
Shall I pay the premium of Abiah Fuller for one year on the enclosed bank check?
Yr. obedt servt
W. Henry Cash
N. Fullerton, No. 114
J. L. Richards Esq
Clerk of Pennsylvania

Pittney, Vermont, Sept 27. 1855
The Hon The Com d of Pensions Dr Sir
About two or three weeks ago I forwarded to the 3 rd Auditor of your department Certificates under the hand and seal of the Secy of the State of Massachusetts showing that Mary Smith is entitled to Bounty Land an account of the Revolutionary services of her husband, John Smith.
Also that Susannah Fuller is entitled to Bounty Land for the same cause. Mary Smith and Susannah Fuller are both Applicants under the Act of March 3. 1855.
Their Applications were suspended for the want of Personal Evidence & I suppose they have now furnished it - & would be glad to receive the Land Warrants
Very respectfully John Kimball

Pension Office, Jany. 30 th 1841
Sir: Please certify the time to which the within named pensioner was paid, or the date of his death.
Very Respectfully,
J. S. Call For the Commissioner.
Jany. 30 th
Francis Root Esq. Third Auditor Jany.
Abiah Fuller. Act 1837, $20 per annum.
Died 13 Jany. 1840 Said
J. Burk
Executor